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Couple wins Indy NHL Pool

Couple needs tie-breaker

Section:

Sports

Post Date:

18/04/2012, 12:29

Usually, a tie-breaker worth a couple of hundred dollars would be a big deal.

Laurie Hewitt, left, won $500 for finishing first in the Kincardine Independent's NHL Hockey Pool this season. She actually finished even with Jay Bell, right, but won on a tiebreaker. But the real winner was daughter Ruby - who helped the couple collect checks from Independent Sports Editor Josh Howald on Wednesday. (Eric Howald photo)

Jay Bell and Laurie Hewitt weren’t too concerned.

The couple each finished with 1,335 points at the top of the Kincardine Independent’s second annual NHL Hockey Pool. No matter who won the tie breaker, the real winner was going to be the couple’s young daughter.

They had 14 selections in common on their 21-man rosters, and neither had Sidney Crosby. The difference was between the pipes, said Bell.

“If only I hadn’t picked (Maple Leafs goalie) James Reimer,” laughed Bell, who ended up losing the tie breaker to Hewitt.

Bell’s team scored one less shootout goal than Hewitt’s squad, which was the first tie-breaker according to official rules.

Hewitt wins $500 for taking first overall, while Bell received a cheque for $250. Third prize of $100 went to Kincardine’s Paul Buckingham, who finished just one point shy of the winners with 1,334. His team was led by two players neither Hewitt or Bell had selected – Philly’s Claude Giroux and John Tavares of the New York Islanders. Last year’s winner, Lori Coughlin, finished out of the top-50 this year with 1,185 points.

The Independent’s second annual pool can be considered a success. In addition to the prize money, we handed out tickets to Owen Sound Attack home games, OHL gear, WOAA Senior AA tickets and gear as well as gift certificates to Crabby Joe’s in Kincardine. More than 140 readers took part in this year’s contest, which provided daily updates at www.independent.on.ca

Thanks to all who played, and good luck to your favourite team in the playoffs.